Eighty-three individuals were arrested on Saturday in various parts of Umuahia, Abia State, for violating the state’s environmental sanitation laws during the September edition of the monthly clean-up exercise.
The arrests were made by the Task Force team of the Abia State Government, targeting those who disregarded the sanitation hours. Some of the offenders were apprehended at their business premises, while others were caught on the streets.
The defaulters were brought before a mobile court, which sat at the Abia State High Court premises in Umuahia.
The court session was presided over by Onyinyechi Chinenye Ibekwe.
Addressing the press after the exercise, the Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, represented by the Director of the Ministry, Ukachukwu Udochukwu Joseph, expressed disappointment over the non-compliance of some transport operators.
However, he commended the general public, particularly residents of Umuahia, for their improved participation in this month’s clean-up.
The Chairman of the Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Environment, Kalu Mba Nwoke, also spoke following the exercise.
He criticised some security officers for allegedly diverting arrested offenders to police stations instead of handing them over to the mobile court for proper prosecution.
Nwoke expressed concern over reports that these security personnel were extorting money from defaulters, which he said should instead be remitted to the state’s coffers to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Nwoke vowed to raise the issue of corrupt practices by the security personnel on the floor of the House of Assembly to ensure appropriate actions are taken.
He emphasised that funds from sanitation violations should serve the state, not line the pockets of individuals.
The monthly sanitation exercise continues to play a key role in maintaining cleanliness across Abia State, but enforcement challenges like these highlight the need for stricter oversight.
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